Chapter 78: Will

“So that’s how I entered it?”

Lin Qing was taken aback.

He had long struggled to master this combat technique, “Yi,” and had already prepared to spend merit points to learn it again.

Unexpectedly…

I only attended this mental meditation class for a little while—and now I’ve mastered it? But “Yi” is inherently a form of self-hypnosis, focused on spiritual will; with my current clear mental state, learning it was twice as effective, so mastering it is understandable.

For other combat techniques that don’t emphasize spiritual will, this mental state would offer little help.

But regardless, it’s astonishing.

“This mental meditation class isn’t ordinary…”

Lin Qing closed his eyes and continued listening to the strange tapping sound.

Online, there are often so-called sound therapies that use various sounds to stimulate the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, alleviating anxiety and improving mood, aiding psychiatric treatment, and even boasting of promoting physical recovery.

It’s all metaphysical spiritual comfort.

But now Lin Qing discovered that the light tapping sound emitted by this middle-aged man was actually effective!

Just the sensation of purifying the spirit and clearing the mind—even if the class fee was extremely high—it was worth it.

After a moment, the tapping sound slowly ceased.

The students in the quiet room opened their eyes and unconsciously smiled with genuine contentment.

No one would dislike this kind of spiritual cleansing and relaxation.

“That’s enough for today.”

The middle-aged man smiled slightly, bowed to everyone, then turned and left.

Lin Qing paused, then didn’t follow. A mental meditation class with real expertise was enough to attend.

Besides, he already had enough troubles of his own and didn’t want to get further entangled in the psychic awakening circle—Zhao Jiayi was already enough.

“I can withdraw ‘Yi’ as soon as I get home.”

Lin Qing glanced at the middle-aged man’s back and quickly left the quiet room.

…

…

“Order.”

Back home, Lin Qing summoned the Entropy Reverser interface.

“Withdraw: Combat Technique ‘Yi’!”

At that moment, vast amounts of inexplicable information flooded into Lin Qing’s mind.

According to the Entropy Reverser’s projection—

With his talent, to reach the peak of “Yi,” besides integrating its variations into instinct, the most crucial part was honing his will until it reached its current limit—that was the hardest part.

Completing 69 variations of the technique would allow perfect integration into instinct.

Then, Lin Qing’s mind suddenly flooded with countless memories.

They were his memories of repeatedly practicing “Yi,” from awkwardness approaching perfection, he didn’t know how long it had taken.

Fortunately, his will was already astonishing enough, requiring no further honing to meet “Yi”’s requirements.

Finally, “Yi” was fully integrated into instinct—triggered by a single thought.

“Huh…”

Lin Qing slowly opened his eyes. “Is this ‘Yi’?”

His gaze was now sharp as a blade, his eyes utterly still, his condensed will like steel forged a thousand times—any ordinary person meeting his gaze would feel dread.

His mind held not a single stray thought, his spirit intensely focused, as if entering a strange state, his thoughts abnormally clear.

“Flow state?”

The thought flashed through Lin Qing’s mind.

Some people, in life-or-death battles, panic, lose courage, grow weak and disoriented, and can only unleash two or three tenths of their full power.

“Yi” ensured he could unleash his full potential.

Even for Lin Qing, this technique had significant value; though he had survived the apocalypse and was naturally calm, it still worked wonders in special situations. Moreover, “Yi” had a self-hypnotic ability that could push beyond limits, forcing his strength to surge to 120% of normal.

It seemed like only a 20% increase, but even when activating other techniques, he could still achieve 120%.

“A bit stronger.”

Lin Qing pondered, “Though the progress isn’t huge, I should now be on par with Xu Qiu…”

His strength had already been close to Xu Qiu, the top patrol officer in Lin’an City; now with this improvement, there was virtually no gap.

Logically, patrol chief-level strength should let him walk freely in Lin’an City.

But with the potential threat of the Illuminati’s “Primitive Research Institute,” this power was far from enough.

“‘Yi’ emphasizes willpower—perfectly completing sixty-nine times will make up for it.”

Lin Qing thought to himself, “Less than half a month… but the Super-Sense Serum could activate at any moment—I must keep a withdrawal slot open for the original Sunrise Training Method.”

Even if he mastered all the Divine Transformation series techniques to the instinct level, the power boost wouldn’t match the original Sunrise Training Method.

“Pity—my Order level is still far from Level 10.”

Lin Qing glanced at the Entropy Reverser interface: 【Current Order Level: 4.1】—he shook his head slightly.

This time, he eliminated another Yuhong Society outpost and its No. 2 leader, plus a group of enforcers—his Order level rose to 4.1.

But it was still far from Level 10.

If he could withdraw one more skill, he could learn the six Divine Transformation techniques much faster.

“These criminals really deserve to die—if not for you, I wouldn’t know how high my Order level could be…”

Lin Qing took a deep breath, resolved: “Once my strength is sufficient, I’ll cleanse Lin’an City entirely—even if I don’t reach Level 10, I’ll be close.”

…

Outside Lin’an City, inside a long-abandoned factory.

It was extremely close to the coastal metropolis zone; even near midnight, the night could barely erode the glow that bathed the area.

Deep within the factory, darkness reigned. A thin, bald man leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes closed, resting.

“Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap…”

Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the factory.

The bald man snapped open his eyes—two cold blades glinted in the dark.

Then a beam of light struck him, illuminating his face.

It was the notorious fugitive from Qinghu Island, Chu Tianyao.

“Why are you hiding here?”

A shrill voice, processed through a throat modulator, suddenly came from behind the light source.

“You’re here?” Chu Tianyao squinted against the light, seeing only a black-clad figure wearing a pale, smiling mask.

“You’re Yuhong Society’s No. 1?” Chu Tianyao asked.

The masked figure emitted a shrill laugh and shook his head. “I have no interest—but you can say that.”

“First, verify your identity,” Chu Tianyao said, expressionless.

“Of course.”

Beneath the pale smiling mask, the mysterious figure’s eyes flickered with mockery, then turned sideways, pulling open his collar to reveal the skin at the nape of his neck.

There was a sun-shaped tattoo, inside which was a string of black numbers.

【NO.1412】

“1412…”

Chu Tianyao’s dark-brown pupils narrowed. “Did you earn this number through strength—or like 7489, through innate talent?”

The tattoo faded slowly. The figure pulled his collar up. The modulator’s shrill voice replied: “I don’t possess that kind of genetic ability. After years in Lin’an, how could I possibly rely on innate talent?”

“Your number is so high, yet you have this power—why did the Boss assign you to Lin’an?”

Chu Tianyao murmured, “Could the legend be true… that the Illuminati’s founder of the Primitive Research Institute built a secret lab right here in Lin’an?”

(End of Chapter)